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Heavy metals blood test results for Metal on Metal hip joint

Posted by tim11 @tim11, Nov 4, 2022

Results Received today:
Chromium 31.0 ng/mL
Cobalt 25.0 ng/mL
How do these values compare to the experience of others?

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sickofbeinsick1. AKA Tina | @sickofbeinsick1 | Apr 9, 2023
In reply to @sueinmn "Tina - I'm not a doctor either, but pretty sure that's not how our bodies work...." + (show)
@sueinmn

Tina - I'm not a doctor either, but pretty sure that's not how our bodies work. The metal, in order to be found in our bloodwork, must be disseminated in the tissue and working its way into the bloodstream. It is then eliminated as bodily waste.
Was your blood retested after revision surgery? That is how to tell if there is any metallosis remaining.
The symptoms you are experiencing now are concerning. If you believe your revised hip is failing (pain or inability to move your leg) please see your ortho.
Otherwise, this sounds quite alarming enough to warrant a call to your primary provider.
Sue

Jump to this post

I actually allied my GP, it was on the weekend so I left a msg. I’m pretty sure I sounded drunk…(I have a recording of me talking when I was waiting for rev surgery)

I sounded loopy…like I was drunk.
Keeping that in mind, I’ll call Mon. & talk to him again.
Thanks

REPLY
sickofbeinsick1. AKA Tina | @sickofbeinsick1 | Apr 9, 2023
In reply to @sueinmn "Tina - I'm not a doctor either, but pretty sure that's not how our bodies work...." + (show)
@sueinmn

Tina - I'm not a doctor either, but pretty sure that's not how our bodies work. The metal, in order to be found in our bloodwork, must be disseminated in the tissue and working its way into the bloodstream. It is then eliminated as bodily waste.
Was your blood retested after revision surgery? That is how to tell if there is any metallosis remaining.
The symptoms you are experiencing now are concerning. If you believe your revised hip is failing (pain or inability to move your leg) please see your ortho.
Otherwise, this sounds quite alarming enough to warrant a call to your primary provider.
Sue

Jump to this post

My memory is shot…looking back at previous posts…barely remember writing them.
Sucks bad…I’ve been a shut in since rev. would like my life back. My gut pain is absolutely debilitating. Makes it hard to WANT to do anything!

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Apr 9, 2023
In reply to @sickofbeinsick1 "My memory is shot…looking back at previous posts…barely remember writing them. Sucks bad…I’ve been a shut..." + (show)
@sickofbeinsick1

My memory is shot…looking back at previous posts…barely remember writing them.
Sucks bad…I’ve been a shut in since rev. would like my life back. My gut pain is absolutely debilitating. Makes it hard to WANT to do anything!

Jump to this post

Deep breath, please Tina. I know that helpless, hopeless feeling and it is not good.
How is your doc helping you find the cause of the gut pain?
Sue

REPLY
1 reply
sickofbeinsick1. AKA Tina | @sickofbeinsick1 | Apr 9, 2023
In reply to @sueinmn "Deep breath, please Tina. I know that helpless, hopeless feeling and it is not good. How..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Deep breath, please Tina. I know that helpless, hopeless feeling and it is not good.
How is your doc helping you find the cause of the gut pain?
Sue

Jump to this post

My GI finally told me she thought (all my gut issues could be caused from my hip”…she retired before I got to see her again.
Haven’t seen a GI since…all they ever did were colonoscopies “for years”.
So obviously my next step was Ortho surgeon, who left after our 1st follow-up…he did give me orders for a blood test, that I believe is open ended (no exp. date). I had a blood test for metals…the numbers were dropping.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Apr 9, 2023
In reply to @sickofbeinsick1 "My GI finally told me she thought (all my gut issues could be caused from my..." + (show)
@sickofbeinsick1

My GI finally told me she thought (all my gut issues could be caused from my hip”…she retired before I got to see her again.
Haven’t seen a GI since…all they ever did were colonoscopies “for years”.
So obviously my next step was Ortho surgeon, who left after our 1st follow-up…he did give me orders for a blood test, that I believe is open ended (no exp. date). I had a blood test for metals…the numbers were dropping.

Jump to this post

Well, I suppose anything is possible, but gut issues are not one of the things I ever heard attributed to heavy metals.
Do you think maybe being inactive (housebound) for so long is part of the problem? Our digestion doesn't work very well if we are not upright and moving.
How much do you walk each day?
Sue

REPLY
1 reply
sickofbeinsick1. AKA Tina | @sickofbeinsick1 | Apr 10, 2023
In reply to @sueinmn "Well, I suppose anything is possible, but gut issues are not one of the things I..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Well, I suppose anything is possible, but gut issues are not one of the things I ever heard attributed to heavy metals.
Do you think maybe being inactive (housebound) for so long is part of the problem? Our digestion doesn't work very well if we are not upright and moving.
How much do you walk each day?
Sue

Jump to this post

I walk all over, laundry, vacuum, dishes…(never ending), husband & son never put anything away…may as well have toddlers.
I stretch& exercise myself. I know what in-activity can do to a gut!

REPLY
1 reply
sickofbeinsick1. AKA Tina | @sickofbeinsick1 | Apr 10, 2023

I found this on Cureus…
REPLY
sickofbeinsick1. AKA Tina | @sickofbeinsick1 | Apr 10, 2023
In reply to @sickofbeinsick1 "I walk all over, laundry, vacuum, dishes…(never ending), husband & son never put anything away…may as..." + (show)
@sickofbeinsick1

I walk all over, laundry, vacuum, dishes…(never ending), husband & son never put anything away…may as well have toddlers.
I stretch& exercise myself. I know what in-activity can do to a gut!

Jump to this post

I tried to send a link to an article on Cureus.
I think it was successful…however, not sure how many got sent, should be 1

REPLY
2 replies
sickofbeinsick1. AKA Tina | @sickofbeinsick1 | Apr 10, 2023
In reply to @sickofbeinsick1 "I tried to send a link to an article on Cureus. I think it was successful…however,..." + (show)
@sickofbeinsick1

I tried to send a link to an article on Cureus.
I think it was successful…however, not sure how many got sent, should be 1

Jump to this post

That’s just one…several other “stories”

REPLY
nativetexan55 | @nativetexan55 | Apr 11, 2023

I watched a documentary called “Bleeding Edge” where this very issue was covered, along with several other implant devices. I was shocked. I had 2 hips and a knee replaced and have great success. But, wow, what can go wrong! While I take things with a grain of salt in the media, it was very eye opening to the fact we don’t know nearly enough or ask enough questions when devices are recommended. If anyone at Mayo has seen this documentary, I’d love to hear their thoughts. I believe it’s on Netflix.

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1 reply
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